Brits 2001 Special

The most important UK music awards ceremony,
the Brit Awards, took place on Monday 26th February 2001 at Earls Court and it was
hosted by Ant n' Dec. Despite his six nominations, Craig David failed to win an award,
however the Brits regular winner, Robbie Williams, continued to expand his
collection by picking up three statuettes (Best British Male Solo Artist, Best British Video
and Best British Single).

Other big winners included Coldplay who were awarded in Best British Group and Best British
Album categories. The latter had an amazing effect on the UK album charts, as the sales of
"Parachutes" increased six times. Sonique was named Best British Female Solo Artist, while Madonna
won the International counterpart.

The Awards, with the exception of five categories, were voted for by an academy of
more than 1000
members including record companies, media, retailers, publishers, record producers,
DJs and promoters. Best British Newcomer, Best British Video, Best British Single
and Best Pop Act were voted by the public, while the Outstanding Contribution To
British Music Award was chosen by PBI.

Check out our site specials on the most talked about artists of
this year's Brits!

"The Brits people
aren't at the top of my list to be honest. They haven't been great to us.
We've been going as a band for 15 years and we haven't won one award. When I
see the Spice Girls win an Outstanding Contribution award and Five picking up
prizes then it's just a joke to me. We've had a No. 1 album and our last album
was a best seller.

"The public vote for us each time they buy our record. That's enough for me.
I've got an Ivor Novello award at home for songwriting and that's far more
important because it's voted for by fellow songwriters.
The Brits is voted for largely by record companies and it's just politics."

We don't think MP3 or Napster fans like the Brits very much either, as this year's
message from Rob Dickins, the Chairman, reads as follows:
"Never has the celebration of the value of music been more appropriate and
more important. Music is something to be cherished and valued, not given away
like some worthless trinket" - cherished and valued, for the benefit of a multi-million pound industry?
Surely a contradiction!

And what do you think? Love'em or hate'em? Express your oninion in our forums!

BEST BRITISH GROUP: Coldplay
All Saints
Moloko
Radiohead
Toploader
Last year's winner: Travis

BEST BRITISH ALBUM: Coldplay - Parachutes
Craig Daivid - Born To Do It
David Gray - Lost Songs 95-98
Radiohead - Kid A
Robbie Williams - Sing When You're Winning
Last year's winner: Travis - The Man Who

BEST SOUNDTRACK: American Beauty
The Beach
Dancer In The Dark
The Virgin Suicides
Shaft
Billy Elliot
Last year's winner: Notting Hill

BEST BRITISH VIDEO: Robbie Williams - Rock DJ
All Saints - Pure Shores
Coldplay - Yellow
Craig David - 7 Days
Jamelia - Money
Moloko - The Time Is Now
Sonique - It Feels So Good
Texas - In Demand
Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
Travis - Coming Around
Last year's winner: Robbie Williams - She's The One